Topic: Jim Mattis

Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper says in his upcoming memoir that President Donald Trump once asked him if the U.S. could shoot missiles into Mexico to destroy drug labs and dangerous cartels, according to reports.

The House and Senate voted to approve a waiver for Lloyd Austin to lead the Department of Defense Thursday, paving the way for his historic confirmation.

David Norquist will serve as acting secretary of defense when President-elect Joe Biden takes office, multiple sources reported Thursday.

President-elect Joe Biden formally nominated retired four-star Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III to be his defense secretary Wednesday.

Kathryn Wheelbarger, the Pentagon's top official overseeing international security affairs, resigned Thursday after the White House canceled her nomination for a prominent senior role, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said.

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who resigned 17 months ago over a disagreement with President Donald Trump on Syria, has criticized his former boss amid national backlash spurred by the death of George Floyd.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced Monday that his chief of staff Eric Chewning will step down at the end of the month to return to the private sector amid mounting tensions with Iran.

President Donald Trump attended a welcoming ceremony Thursday at the Pentagon for Mark Esper, who was sworn in as the new defense secretary days ago.

The Senate armed services committee opened a confirmation hearing Tuesday for acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

President Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Mark Esper, secretary of the Army, as the next defense secretary, among other key defense posts.